2008 FPV F6 310 Ute Review

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By Matt Brogan | November 27th, 2008

2008 FPV F6 310 Ute Review & Road Test

Spend a week in the hot seat and you’ll agree, this is one quick utility.

Model Tested:

2008 FPV F6 310 Style Side Utility, 4.0-litre, turbocharged, six-speed automatic – $57,990 (RRP)

Options:

Metallic Paint – standard; leather interior $1100; hard tonneau with spoiler $2900; premium audio system $700; FPV floor mats $110; 1600kg tow kit $495; 19-inch Dark Argent alloy wheels $795; premium brakes $3630; satellite navigation $2290

Strong performance, sweet induction note, personality
Seat folding mechanism, exhaust note, steering wheel

CarAdvice Rating:

- by Matt Brogan

When you glance through the Ford Performance Vehicles brochure, the inflated triple-digit power and torque figures seem little more than numbers. Sure some of us may be able to equate the relative performance characteristics from these little numerical hints into real life terms, but it’s not until you’ve had a week in the hot seat that you can fully appreciate the amount of potential on offer – this is one quick utility.

The FPV F6 310 has a strong character and no-nonsense personality that defines it as instantly recognisable to those with a bit of nous about such things. The lowered stance, bold rims and FPV styling cues – especially the eye-patch front – all giving the impression that this utility means business.

Now sure, you may not be inclined to throw the cement-mixer in the back or load it full of timber, but those who think of this ute in that way have missed the point. This ute is all about performance and lifestyle. Sure you can still carry and tow with it, I’m not saying you can’t, but it’s best thought of as a sports coupe with a really big boot, something upon which most owners will agree with me.

It’s not that the F6 isn’t still a utility, with a 530kg payload and 1600kg towing capacity it certainly is. It’s just that I can’t see anyone in their right mind wanting to treat such an awesome (and let’s face it expensive) utility as a mere commercial vehicle. No, this ute is about lifestyle, it’s about embracing the ute culture and our love of a performance car in the one package – and what a package it is.

Not only does the F6 310 behold the FG’s highly favoured good looks, it also offers an interior that sets it above, in fact well above, that of a standard Falcon ute and offers performance credentials to shame most rivals, even those offering Australia’s much loved bent eight.

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Inside, and probably most obviously, are the four-way electrically operated (driver’s side only) embossed leather sport seats (optional – ebony suede sport seats standard). These are a delight to sit in, really comfortable, and very supportive once you get stuck in to it.

The only bother with the seats is the mechanism to fold them forward, which seemingly operates in reverse of what one would consider logical. You have to push the lever to the rear of the car to pull the seat forward, thus requiring two hands. It’s a small thing, but is rather annoying when your hands are full of shopping and it’s pouring rain.

Leather, alloy and carbon fibre abounds throughout, joining standard features that include power windows and mirrors, cruise control, single-zone climate control, alloy pedals and scuff plates, FPV build number and starter button panel, turbo boost pressure gauge in addition to the standard offering, and Ford’s rather large leather-clad sports steering wheel with audio and cruise control buttons.

The Prestige six-CD tuner with iPod integration and Bluetooth connectivity offer clarity and a bit of punch and the roof mounted bee-sting type antenna offers far better reception than the in-glass type fitted to the sedan.

Staying outside for a moment, and in addition to dropping the ‘Typhoon’ moniker, F6 sports large 19-inch diameter alloy wheels, fog lights, side skirts and sports front and rear bars to round out the differences above that of the standard Falcon utility.

Thrust comes compliments of a modified Ford 4.0-litre, in-line, six-cylinder engine that has been boosted, intercooled and fitted with a high-flow exhaust to maximise respiration. The results equate to 310kW of brisk, punch-in-the-back power at 5500rpm and a very strong 565Nm of Dunlop-smoking torque available from 1950rpm all the way to 5200rpm, a 40kW and 15Nm improvement over the BF Mark II respectively.

Boost is strong, linear and very predictable being able to be balanced under your right toe for the perfect amount of drive each time. The calibration here is a credit to Ford as is remains uniform despite engine temperature or atmospheric conditions – something that can catch you out in similarly high performance turbocharged cars.

Sub five-second 0-to-100km/h times (4.99 seconds) are manageable if you can get traction to the rear wheels but most of our timed runs scored the F6 around 5.30 seconds due to wheelspin. Mid-tacho performance too is very strong, a big improvement over the BF series, with 80-100km/h times coming in under three seconds (2.90 seconds).

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Unlike the XR6 and G6E turbocharged vehicles though, the F6 doesn’t offer a strong exhaust note, in fact it’s almost disappointing, at least from inside the cabin. What is on offer in terms of a sweet soundtrack is a symphonic induction note, pitched turbo spool whine from the Garret GT3540 and even a little intercooler flutter on release, which is somewhat exaggerated by the front mount air-to-air unit’s aluminium construction.

The ZF (6HP26) six-speed automatic transmission is a work of art and offers quick up shifts, rapid response to throttle input and will even down shift for you by tapping the throttle under brakes. If you’re a three pedal fan, the Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual is available as a no cost option. Best of all, a week in the F6 saw a return of 11.8 litres per 100km (combined city and highway use) – that’s 1.2 litres under the ADR claim! Impressive stuff.

The four-pot Brembo brakes offered little in the way of brake fade under repeated application, and stand out as something special with the callipers painted bright red. The pedal feel is brilliant for big brakes, which normally bite hard on initial application almost sending you through the windscreen. Thankfully, these have a much more progressive action and the F6 can be optioned with larger 355x32mm front and 328x26mm rear discs, both crossed drilled rears with six-piston callipers, for some extra coin.

New to FG series Falcons, the independent double wishbone coil front suspension makes for a pointier steering ute that will respond well to cornering at speed provided you remain balanced. The beam type leaf rear end is a little jittery under throttle and will see the limited-slip differential smoke both tyres if you’re a little generous with the loud pedal.

Geometry is a carry over from the XR6 Turbo Ute, but FPV has revised the spring rates and shock absorber calibration to suit both road and track driving. It’s noticeably stiffer than its poorer cousin, but offers surprising levels of control and grip too, provided the conditions are, um … favourable.

To keep you safe and secure the F6 offers ABS with EBD, ESP with Traction Control, dual front and side (head/thorax) airbags, and a four star ANCAP rating along with DataDot protection and remote flip-key central locking with audible alarm – all as standard fit.

As sports utes go – and as a Holden man it pains me to say this – the F6 ute is by far the best option on the market. To any one considering such a vehicle, be you red lion, blue oval or umm, other, I say this; go and drive this thing and take your cheque book. I guarantee after five minutes behind the wheel you’ll be signing on the dotted line.

CarAdvice Overall Rating:
How does it Drive:
How does it Look:
How does it Go:

Specifications:

Engine: 4.0-litre DOHC six cylinder (24 valve)
Power: 310kW @ 5500rpm
Torque: 565Nm @ 1950-5200rpm
Induction: Turbocharged & multi-point
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Driven Wheels: Rear (LSD)
Brakes: Disc with ABS & EBD
Top Speed: 250km/h (Electronically Limited)
0-100km/h: 4.99 seconds
0-400m: Not Tested
CO2 Emissions: 311g/km
Fuel Consumption: 13.0 litres/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity: 80 litres
Fuel Type: 98RON petrol
ANCAP Rating: Four Star
Safety: Front & side airbags, ABS, EBD, ESP & TCS
Spare Wheel: Full-size (underbody mount) alloy
Tow Capacity: 1600kg (Braked)
Turning Circle: 11.5 metres
Warranty: 3 year/100,000km
Weight: 1825kg (tare)/530kg (payload)
Wheels: Alloy 19 x 8.0-inch

Road Test the Rivals:

FPV will be hosting an open day on Sunday, March 1st 2009 at:

Ford Performance Vehicles

33 Glenbarry Road

Campbellfield VIC 3061

(Gates open 9am – 3pm)

FRUGAL_ONE

*****PRIMO!**** {Is back!}

Think about this with a bench seat and a high-tech injected LPG system

Yes please

Nice test/review as always guys

Cheers

F-0
Lee

Now just send me one here in California.
Allan D

I dunno why they stick with OE 245s on fpvs, they really need wider tyres – Maybe stagger the wheel sizes like hsv, 245s up front and 275s at back?
Howie-VL

I agree with Allan. Awesome ute tho! Gt35/40, How tough is that on a standard car! Show\’s how much power potential these things have too!
realcars

Falcon The great Australian road car.
J

Allan, Howie – don’t get too hung up on width when discussing traction. Traction is more a function of weight & compound than a function of width. Extra width allows softer compound whilst maintaining temperature & wear limits within reason for application, thus the reason why wider tyres are ‘sometimes’ grippier than narrower ones. Also, you tend to get better sidewall control with wider tyres, but more to do with profile resulting from the width than the width itself.

Anyway, good review. I like the F6 ute, though for the money, mine’s still the sedan version (boot’s big enough and if you need a half-ton tray, get a 6 x 4 ‘tray’ hanging off a towbar )
Marcoz

I love it, looks awesome. But would buy an 8, cant go buy the noise of an 8. But look at the bloody options list, amazing they can charge all this sheeet for those options. It’ll end up being over $70,000…ridiculous….and yes i would use it as a proper ute, take bikes out, general work stuff, but not cement bricks etc….
http://integra Greeny

Best performance based ite in the country……..no doubt. That engine and trans package is an absolute gem. Why anyone would buy a V8 is beyond me because not only does this engine outperform any Holden or Ford V8 it also kills alot of cars that sre at least 3 times the price. Good thing is that you can get fairly good economy as well when you just cruise around town……….unlike the V8′s. My mates Clubby averages around 19 litres per hundred in normal city driving!!! Drive one and you will buy one…….
http://integra Greeny

Ute not ITE !!!!!! geez…….
WVB

I love the self limiting factors of these things when all the twerp tradies/handymen/sad dads buy them anyway and proceed to tow everything.
Actually, everyone. Don’t too hung up on utes period.
Go and buy a proper sports sedan and avoid not only being useless but selfish and precious aswell…….^^awaiting flaming.
Devil666

Interesting how that this is a ‘lifestyle car’ and not a ‘workhorse’ and that anyone who takes it as a ‘workhorse is missing the point’. And yet it maintains the agricultural workhorse rear end. Sure it would have been way too expensive for FPV to re-engineer the whole back end but what is lost to the competition? Handling my friends. Everyone (Drive, wheels, motor….) who has compared the two (FPV + HSV) say these things handle like a box full of a***holes, interesting because this is a subject you barely touched on.

I still don’t know why Holden is taking such a bagging for fuel consumption, as with 22,000 kms our (auto) V8 V series has only used 11.4 L on average, and believe me, it hasn’t had an easy life. Sidenote, anyone who buys one of these FPVs: enjoy replacing the ill-matched tyres that this articles’ writer could not control.
Escort_Ghia

Devil666 last i cheaked wheels mag said that the fg ute handleing was on par with the VE ute, it just struggles to get all that v8 destroying grunt to the ground.
A
live rear axel is fine for everyday use irs is just a comfort thing.
Escort_Ghia

the last sentace is ment to be like this.

A live rear axel is fine for everyday use irs is just a comfort thing.
XAFutura

Devil666, A well tuned Hotchkiss suspension can handle exceptionally well, even on the race track (lets not forget the performance of the falcon in the V8 utes) Its also ideal for carrying/towing capacity with out the issues of IRS tyre wear. In my opinion the commodore ute is just a sports wagon without the roof.
Martin

Yawn.
http://integra Greeny

WOW !!! doesnt take long for the Holden V8 ute wankers to start crying !!! lol A Holden V8 that only uses 11.4 l\100 ? No such animal !! Maybe if you dont drive over 70k it might use that much but the large capacity pushrod dinosour V8 is not very efficient AT ALL ……….2 vlaves per cylinder these days is a laugh if you want fuel efficiency…….thats a fact. We all know how touchy Holden V8 drivers are if another car is said to be better….this F6 ute is so much better than any Holden or HSV car it funny !!!!
Frenchie

I like the seats, but the rest of the car….ehh!
Casey

Devil666 – you need to learn to read mate, there’s at least two paragraphs about the suspension and handling.

Or is it perhaps that you’re one of those sooky Holden boys that can’t hack the truth.

Go Ford!
The Axe

Sleepy Martin?
A ride in an F6 ute will wake you..
Car_Enthusiast

LOL, here we go again HOLDEN vs FORD. & yet another Nob talking Crap about Pushrod V8′s.

Hey Greeny since you’ve already Criticised the V8′s in the Holden’s?HSV’s

Now its time to see what Ford/FPV has to bring to the table, with its fancy quad-cam Boss V8, that has 5.4-litre capacity, 32 valves and double overhead camshafts. WWWOOOWWW !! Fancy words & and all good IN THEORY. & yet u wake up out of ur dream, get into the Real World and Where is all of this Fancy Technology, still behind the Big Old Pushrod V8.

Now Real World Testing Results.

FG XR8 = 290 KW & 520 NM Torque
VE SS = 270 KW & 530 NM Torque

(FG XR8) 0 – 100 km = 6.2 sec
0 – 400 m = 14.3 sec

(VE SS) 0 – 100 km = 5.5 sec
0 – 400 m = 13.6 sec

Now for the FPV/HSV specs.

FPV FG GTP = 315 KW & 551 NM Torque
HSV VE GTS = 317 KW & 550 NM Torque

(FPV FG GTP) 0 – 100 km = 5.53 sec
0 – 400 m = 13.62

(HSV VE GTS) 0 – 100 km = 4.96 sec
0 – 400 m = 13.19 sec

Now if it wasn’t for Ford’s L6 Turbo alternative, its performance cars would be dead.

Because Ford’s Boss V8′s are Now comparisons to Holden’s Pushrod V8′s.

Sure its L6 turbo can keep up, but if u want Muscle, Roar and V8 power without Lag, then Holden is the way to go.

Now should I continue with the HSV W427′s 7 Litre V8 with 375 KW & 640 NM Torque.

OR maybe I should talk about the 7.4 Litre V8 Monster in the Pontiac G8 GXP Street Concept that Develops a colossal
476 KW & 813 NM of Torque
greenroom

^ Please… don’t continue! Enough already…
Escort_Ghia

Car_Enthusiast

(HSV VE GTS) 0 – 100 km = 4.96 sec
0 – 400 m = 13.19 sec

um (HSV VE GTS) 0 – 100 km = 4.96 sec
0 – 400 m = 13.19 sec that is a hsv claimed no one has achieved that time in the GTS 0 – 400m in 13.4 is the best wheels could get and 0- 100 in 5.2as well in the gt they got the times you put down the hsv is quicker but its also a 6.2l you bump the gt’s engine to that and i would destroy it.
Paul Maric

Car_enthusiast:

Nobody has ever been able to get a HSV to register a sub 5-second 0-100km/h time.

The figures HSV have released are somewhat dubious.

The last time we tried to test the claimed times on a manual GTS, the clutch fried after the second attempt.

Although we appreciate the armchair experts, take it from us – the numbers mean nothing when it comes to the real world driving scenario.
Starky

Nice little example of biased times there car_enthusiast. The GTS time is simply a claim, not actually tested. I also believe a GT beat a R8 in a NZ test (and yes, that meant in acceleration also). Also you have also decided to pick the fastest SS time and the slowest XR8 time (with all test examples being tight). And please stop referring to the 6.2 litre engine as Holden’s, it’s actually a Chevrolet and Holden cannot claim any credit to any of it’s design – it simply has a parent company that mass produce large capacity V8s, but nonetheless a company that seems to be the first to go out of the big three…

Another funny comment is the L6 turbos having to “keep up” with the V8s. Hilarious. The Turbo’s are consistently faster than the V8s, and are not crate shipped Mexican specials. They are an Australian engine engineered by Australians specifically for Australians and any Australian attempting to suggest that a Mexicana crate engine is better than our own is decidedly Un-Australian. And if you aren’t, then clearly you justify your choice on badge as opposed to the engineering and design involved.
ChopstaR87

the funny thing is that the I6T(F6)has a better top end then the 6.2litre V8 from GM. lol!

and the W427 is a 7litre, yep 7Litre V8 that puts out 375Kw.

now looking at the PONTIAC GXP With 7.4litre is After market V8 that has to be bought saparate from the Car is a After market engine and not a factory engine… and the owner has to install him self… read the whole article next time!!!

Now look at what Ford has World Wide. S/C 5.4litre V8 500hp and 550hp… then there is most powerful road registerable vehicle in australia, the Ford/Shelby Super Snake with 541Kw from a 5.4Litre S/C V8.

Also the engine ford Aus uses is designed for Pick up trucks, that why when that arrive in australia FPV have to Mod the engine to be used in XR8 GT/P/E.

now lets look at W427 vs F6310
W427 0-100 4.8 Secs 0-400 12.7sec
F6310 Ute 0-100 4.99Secs 13.1secs

W427 Price $155,000
F6310 Ute $58,000 / Sedan $65,000

thats a lot of money for not much more… lol!!!

so the F6310 ute is alot of bang for not much buck in these terms!!
Wheelnut

Out of all the FPV range the F6 is the one I would have….

FPV should take [Coldbum and] the F6 Ute out to Woomera in Outback South Australia where Skaifey set the Guinness World Record for the World’s Fastest Ute in the Maloo to see if they can break it.
smokin’r32

How does the starter button work in the FG series FPVs? Do you still have to put the key in and turn it to ‘on’ first or is it a pocket fob type thing like a merc or something?
Car_Enthusiast

My whole point here is to Greeny, while he was criticising the pushrod V8 and its abilities It is still ahead (In performance terms), & Delivers power better then the Boss V8′s in Ford’s/FPV’s Cars
Escort_Ghia

Car_Enthusiast
comon knowlage theres no replacement for displacment, bump the FPV 5.4 – 6.2 and it would destroy the HSV becouse its a more efficiant and reliable set up dont get me wrong the peformace it extrodenary for a pushrod V8.
Car_Enthusiast

Escort_Ghia, i agree, but if u bumped the FPV’s engine to that capacity and gave it more power, it would be more streesed than the LS3.
Escort_Ghia

not nessasaraly look as the crysler 300c with the 6.3? its just a 5.7 but bigger.

all the old holden sixs were exactly the same 173, 186 – 202 they were just bigger vertion was the 202 less reliabel than the 186 no.
Alex

Greeny, you said “Holden V8 ute wankers” before and I don’t think that makes sense in context because Ford V8 ute (and sedan) drivers are all wankers too. And before you bring it up, if I have brand allegiance to either Ford or Holden, it would be Ford. I don’t think this car makes much sense because it looks like it has been designed more for being fashionable than being a utility vehicle and anybody who thinks a ute is fashionable or tasteful in the slightest has something wrong with them and is just proving themselves so by challenging what I’m saying.
Name (required)

hay guys y dont we just look at the m3 engine v8 wat a 4.9 i thnk off the top of my head produces 309kw n 0-100 in 4.9 secs or somthng like that

but all honesty comon a 4ltr with a turbo killing all v8′s its the best revolution in the world to date showing wat a tru engine is made of and befor any one says it yes i no its turbo’s but when push comes to shove their the true NEW AUSSI MUCSLE CAR

R.I.P V8

oh yea ChopstaR87 u gotta love a car that costs nearly 1/3 of a car with 375kw destroying it haha a 2k exhaust on the f6 n oh look i got a faster car then a 155k car

but at the end of the day the w427 is only a holden its not a bmw or audi its onli a holden
Name (required)

i thought the exhaust note rumble is onli on the manual versions as the launch controll is to??
http://integra Greeny

Car enthusiast……nobody has ever got the times that Holden or HSV quote for their cars. They even use bogus testing to get their power figures. The kw and torque figures are are not as fitted to the car figures, they are unadjusted dyno figures that they release. An F6 is faster than any HSV except the wank mobile $150,000 W427 which has a 7 liter V8 !!!!! I could put a mod chip in an F6 and get more than that at the rear wheels !! The year 2008 and they still have an engine thats strongly related to an engine from the 1930′s……..what ajoke !!!!!!

whats next? an 8 or 9 liter ??? lol lol lol lol
well GM wont be around soon anyway !!!! HOORAY !!!!!!
Mitch

Looks pretty ugly to me, much prefer the HSV Maloo.
And whats the go with the ugly bulges over the rear wheels, looks under tyred ?
Martin

The Axe, Oh my no, this car is just so boringly ugly.

Just so everyone knows, nor do I root for the HSV/Holden either, so don’t try and pull that crap on me.
Name (required)

ah wait i heard sumthn that holden launch thier cars at like 5000rpm to get those figers
i thnk it was on a vid i was watch ages ago
Andrew M

Matt,
I think you will find the brakes not being touchy a “ute thing”.

Ive owned a few falcon utes and driven plenty of others aswell.
I always thought i just had bad brakes because they just didnt feel “snappy”
even when i compared my ute brakes to older falcon sedans brakes, as well as other makes of sedans, the ute brakes feel no where near as snappy. i always go through the windscreen of sedans because im not use to them being so touchy
its not a ford thing, its not a brake thing, its a ute thing i reckon.
But dont be worried they will pull you up when you need it.

My theory is they tune them different to account for the lesser weight over the rears.
but as i said they are still solid and once you dig the heels in it will pull you up no sweat.

i find all utes the same whether it be a commodore ute or even Jap ute.

and on the saet lever thing……..
yes it would make more sense for the lever to work the other way, but most hatches i know require 2 hands aswell.

i have the current FG UTE and dont find the new lever any harder than the previous model.
you can do it one handed, you just use your elbow in the same motion.
on a scale of trickyness, the old design was about the same.
i think by extending the lever up the seat has caused confusion. I dont think its an unnatural task, but just to look at the lever you would think it goes the otherway. I know i thought it did at first.

good review by the way

and to those ute handling novices,
I suggest you go drive an aussie ute. the falcon and commodore utes handle 300% better than the best Jap ute.

those who dis tyhe handling of such utes are those that havent driven one.

100% correct in that jap utes slide around, and yep, they chirp goind around corners at 15kmh, but our aussie utes hang on bloody well. its surprising how well they turn in.

stop reiterating the theory of less weight Blah blah blah, leaf springs blah blah blah and actually drive one to shut yourself up.

escort is also correct inj that comparos usually put the falcon as much a handler as the commy.

i remember a comparo from a few yaers ago which actually had a leaf sprung falcon ute better than the commodore.
there is nothing between them to be honest.

the main plus for the falcon is the leaf set up is a bit more rugged
JoeW

Reply to Car_Enthusiast

Just to stir things further… who won bathurst?
Cupid Stunt aka No Name

Nice little performer. Bang for Bucks is way up there above anything els. Come on Ford import these the the UK do the type approval, you’ll sell loads now the big 4×4 utes are having a hard time.
Car_Enthusiast

Greeny just to let u know, the figures i posted are Manufacturer Figures, power and times. Now of course no one has managed to get the HSV times, because they are not proffessionals and havn’t tried it a million times, but nor has anyone managed the V8 FPV Times. they were easily about 0.7 to 1 of a sec off the manufacturer figures. & im not talking about Putting a chip in a F6 or putting a bigger turbo or supercharging any of these cars. I am talking Bone Stock Production Cars.

Now by no means am i degrading the 5.4 Litre BOSS V8, sorta good engine for what it is, but the Fact that everyone talks crap and deems the Pushrod V8′s as worth less well thats just ignorant. Sure the Pushrod V8′s might be old, but they still do a damn good job.

AND joeW, For 7 Years in a row Holden Fans have been asking Ford Fans the Same thing. (…WHO WON BATHURST???)

Now when Ford wins 7 in a row then Come back trying to start an argument..

& dnt get me started on How similar V8 supercars are, they are pretty similar cars, with a Different Team & Driver OH & not to Forget also Different BADGE. (not like the Old days when it was a Production car with a roll cage)

Just for ur info Official Bathurst count to date =

Holden 25 Bathurst wins
Ford 18 Bathurst wins

(& btw those do NOT include the Bathurst 12 hr & 24 hr Races)
Alex

The comments are getting a bit long, don’t you think?
Richo

oh for goodness sakes… would you all shut up? I’m a holden man (as alot of people on these forums will know) but facts are facts and the FG is better then the VE, thats it, just shut the fck up and move on and stop being wankers. VF commodore is around the corner and hopefully it will have the improvements necessary to sort out the FG. What alot of people seem to forget is that the VE is now a 3 year old car whereas the FG is nearly new, SO OFCOURSE ITS GOING TO BE BLOODY BETTER! fckn no shit…
Greg

Impressive ute no doubt, but why not save $17k and get an XR6 Turbo ute?

Poor value in my opinion.
http://integra Greeny

How about bathurst wins with the one car ? Brock used 3 cars one year to win Bathurst ……..thats Holden reliability for ya !! And when the Eggenberger Ford Sierra’s were passed as legal before the race then Holden whinged about them after they had won the race and the race was given to Brock…….what a joke !! so dont tell me Holden have won 25 Bathursts…….how many times did Brock use more than one car to “win” the race ? Around Australia rally again showed Holden reliability because they had to rebuild the Commodore 3 times to get it through.
tonyn

hey guys, im driving one of these cars ( manual) and i have to say he is spot on with the review, the FG F6 ute is unbelievable, and i have been a diehard v8 man, but couldnt go past this car, even with the leaf spring rear end it is truly one of the best handling utes ive driven, my dad has a supercharged SS commodore ute and when we swapped for the weekend we both said we would have the F6 ute. well done ford!!! now all we need is for australian to pull there heads out of there rears and realise we have world class product right in our backyard!!!
Richo

Greeny – sit down before you hurt yourself, Brock never used three cars to win bathurst, only ever two, and on two occasions. On both occasions indecently the “lead car” broke down early so Brock still drove the majority of those races. As for the Eggenburger Sierra’s, Holden never complained about them, infact this was at the height of the famous fallout between Brock and Holden and Holden if anything DIDN’T want Brock to win Bathurst this year. The disputes relating to the Eggenburger Sierra’s where raised by the European based teams because the race was part of the World Touring Car Championship and obviously the Eggenburger team gained a whole heap of points for the win, and obviously the BMW and other Ford teams who where competing with them where the ones who raised the illegality issues for their own personal gain in the championship points. Also, they where excluded by European officials, not Australian officials. This all had nothing to do with Holden or Brock, Brock was just the guy who finished third and inherited the win and one all mighty “up yours” to Holden who less then 12 months earlier pulled the pin on him over the energy polarizer debacle.

I suggest you bone up on your facts there Greeny before you start making a fool of yourself in the internet!
Richo

also, with the around australia thing (you seem to have a thing about threes?) Holden did not have to rebuild the car three times, if they did they obviously wouldn’t have won because they would have spent all their time in service and wouldn’t have been able to get out in time! This comment shows a fundamental lack of understanding about the round australia trials so again, stop talking about things you don’t understand
Richo

you may not like Holden mate, but you don’t need to go around “amending” history in a stupid attempt to take away from certain acheivements just to try and make your fravorite company look better. Ford have had plenty of their own acheivements on the mountain so there is no need for you to have little man syndrome over holden’s acheivements
Richo

Also if you want to talk about unreliability, how about all the times ford snatched defeat from the hands of victory with cars blowing up… Glenn Seton a few laps from the end, Craig Lowndes in the 00 motorsport car that couldn’t last 3 laps with a plastic bag blocking half the intake, when Skaife drove a car over 20 laps to victory with basically the entire intake covered in the same plastic bags. Seriously if you want to go down the lack of reliability line at Bathurst then your in for a hiding mate because fords tale of woe up there is longer then holdens….
Matty B

“Brock used 3 cars one year to win Bathurst”

Yeah but that was just as much a “brock” thing as a holden thing.

Say what ever you like, buy what ever you like. But you’ve gotta say, Turbo charging, the best replacement for displacement. At least one aussie manufacturer understands this.
Tom

Very nice car, but a maloo just looks so much tougher, i just couldn’t take this over one.
Tom

And i think its debatable whether the FG is a better car than the VE. It has some desirable aspects, but stuff that matters alot to most people (such as the styling of the car) holden has a clear edge.
Prim

The F6 overall, both sedan and ute are definetley in a class of their own. compared to alot of other manufacturers offerings it has both the performance and handling that most otehr cars lack and cost way more. although its not the cheapest in terms of rivals, the F6 is value for money as whole package, compared to others. Sorry to say but Ford is on a roll with their in line 6 compared to the V8. Although the V8 is good and offers, probably the best all round in history for a GT, you just can’t go past the 6′s performance and its fuel economy. Can’t wait to see the updated Falcon in 2010, with their new in line 6, should be better then ever and hopefully have direct injection.

Cheers
Prim
Tony M

Some of the things I find hard to accept is the Holden/Ford rivalry when you read the times from 0-100kph or 0-400kph. It’s as if we live on a straight road. What about the times from 50-70kph or 80-120kph, you know, overtaking times. Your on the Hume and you need to overtake a truck and your sitting on 85kph, so you drop it down a gear and plant it. Does the car lose traction or bog down or something else. We seem to think that the standing start is the measure of a cars ability. How about the time it takes to drive around the Tasmainian Targa circuit.
Richo

Matty B – Its worth noting that most of the car failures Brock had happened during his co-drivers stints. Brock actually had a lot of mechanical sympathy and would often talk about just “stroking a car along”. A perfect example of this was in 1997, Brock was steaming away from the rest of the field, handed over to skaife with a 20 second lead or something, couple of laps later Skaife blew the engine.
Frontman

Commodore this Falcon that, lets face it they’re both bloody good cars! (yes I have stated I personally prefer Ford) But bieng honest, the Australian public is so spoilt in the choice they have that they cannot see the value of vehicles like this. WHy have the Ute? It looks good (subjective) you can have it as a company car without FBT (:-)) & you don’t get to be designated driver / the taxi because only you and the squeeze can fit :p

Richo, just a little point. My recolection of the Reliability trial was that the Commodores were rebuilt along the way, But SO WAS everything else. I Know that the Cortina’s were definately mechanically rebuilt at least twice……..
As for the drivers Brocky, Larry & Gentleman Jim (ie the old Guard who raced anything & everything and worked on motors) were all far more sympathetic to most of the new breed, I often wonder wether people like Mark & the Kelly boys ever picked up a spanner??
Richo

Frontman – yeah I know what you mean about the whole mechanical sympathy thing. Apparently Greg Murphy is particularly hard on the equipment because he left foot brakes and never uses the clutch, where as most other drivers usually at least give it a stab on downshifts. Although in fairness to Todd Kelly, he is particularly mechanically minded that boy, he actually works full time at Perkins Motorsport as an engineer as well as driving the car, according to Perkins the car has pretty much been completely redesigned this year and Todd has done most of it!

But I think the biggest difference between todays drivers and yesterdays drivers is that back in the 60’s when the Brock’s and so forth where starting out, even the ones with money to buy the best bits still had incredibly unreliable cars because it was all production based racing back then, and even sports sedans and so forth which where fully race prepped cars where still much more fragile then todays race cars because technology isn’t what it is today. So they quickly learnt to have mechanical sympathy which just isn’t required these days because the cars are so bulletproof.
Escort_Ghia

the holden bloke’s can say we have a better v8 than you all they like, becouse the way gm is going there wont be any v8′s for to put in holdens and hsv buy the end of next year.

then what are holden and hsv going to do for a performance engine?.

even if ford usa go broke at least ford aus still has the all mighty I6 turbo.

Tom as ford the VE looking better than the FG thats all preferance the VE to me look ugly and i loved all commadores from VN – VZ saw the VE and was like what the %^#@ have they done to it what is with the stuped flaired gards this aint the 1980.
Wheelnut

Quote [Escort Ghia]: the Holden bloke’s can say we have a better v8 than you all they like, becoause the way gm is going there wont be any v8’s for to put in Holdens and HSV buy the end of next year.. then what are Holden and HSV going to do for a performance engine?.

even if Ford USA go broke at least Ford Oz still has the all mighty I6 turbo.

Do you really think that If or when ford USA go broke do that there will still be a Ford Australia..

Ford Oz is owned by Ford [Family Trust] USA just as Holden is owned by GM both of which are based in the USA – both of which are having financial problems although both are taking steps to streamline their operations and turn things around although the current financial crisis in the USA could hamper there efforts

However; industry experts have said that those between the ages of 25-35 can expect to see the end of car manufacturing in the USA by the time they retire.
Therefore; there is a possibility that GM and Ford US cease production in the US and transfer production of FWD cars to Europe and production of RWD cars to Australia
Phil C

Car_Enthusiast Says:
November 28th, 2008 at 2:01 am
Greeny just to let u know, the figures i posted are Manufacturer Figures, power and times. Now of course no one has managed to get the HSV times … but nor has anyone managed the V8 FPV Times.

Ford & FPV don’t release performance times. So what you are saying is incorrect.

Wheels tested an F6 to compare it to the new GT-R and the Porsche 911 GT2 as all were described as being the best turbo 6′s in the world.

The real world overtaking time from 80-120kmh was 2.7s (F6 auto), 2.2s (both GTR & GT2 were manuals in 2nd gear).

As for the review. Solid and informative as always!

NB Noticed HSV is selling current model new R8s for $56,990 driveaway. Saving of $18k. Not selling so well anymore.
realcars

Falcon turbo is the best value performance vehicle on our market. Even a standard xr6 turbo ute out performs the Hilux TuRD in every respect on road.If there was an RTV version would probably give the Toyota TuRD a good run off road too.
http://integra Greeny

Richo……you are a tool. You obviously have no facts ….just crap to say……so say nothing .
Nat

Don’t like the FG utes, the front looks shiit and the rear looks bloated. My BA XR6T looks much better, in the design department this is a huge step backwards Ford.
Escort_Ghia

Nat

i love the ba and all but they just had to much of a hint of AU in them but i agree about the utes i dont like the rear but the front especialy the FPV stand out above the XR falcons the old FPV’s looked to much like an XR if you put an FG next to a B series car the B series look’s dated very dated in every aspect
http://integra Greeny

Nat.are you on drugs ? FG ute makes the BA\F look very old and slabby, same as the sedan making the BA\F look very dated. You need to open your eyes mate !!! as much a si like the old ute this FG is much more modern and sleek looking …….
Wheelnut

So Escort; you think that Ford should have done more with the look of the FG to differentiate it a bit more from the [very popular] BA/BF…. To make it look more modern?

Need I remind you what happened to the Falcon the last time Ford made dramatic changes to the Falcon with the AU? People weren’t sure what it was as it didn;t look anything like the Falcon that they were used to. [There was a joke that AU stood for Absolutely Ugly] as a result sales took a nose dive..

In fact when the BA was released a Ford exec at the Motor show said that this is what the AU should have looked like… record sales proved him right

Since then Ford have learned that its best to follow a process of evolution rather than revolution.
4 LeMans in a row

Ford in Aus have experienced some lean years recently, but with the launch of the FG things are now on the up. FG is best in class, and best even in classes above it’s price point. VE Commodore is loaded full of “free” gear and price has been slashed as Holden desperately tries to sell this 2nd rate car.

FG, even in base trim, is a stunning car for the money, and the FPV’s are pure joy.

But don’t take my word for it, go drive one.
Wheelnut

Yeah but at least there is no reports etc of the Commodore switching over to FWD like there is with the 2010 Falcon.

If the Falcon does become FWD Ford can kiss a number of Falcon sales goodbye as a number of Falcon owners prefer the control that RWD offers [no torque steer]
Not only that but I doubt that a FWD Falcon will be able to cope with the 300+Kw of a Turbo 6 or V8 like the current FPVs

Whereas whilst its expected that the 2010 Commodore will become more “compact”, it will remain RWD.. as Holden will use either the Alpha platform that the TT-36 Torana Concept was built on or the new Insignia Platform which can also take an AWD set up
Wheelnut

Quote [Greeny]: “…. And when the Eggenberger Ford Sierra’s were passed as legal before the race then Holden whinged about them after they had won the race and the race was given to Brock…….what a joke !!”

The actual cars [sierras] were deemed to be legal at the start of the race weekend.. all the specifications and measurements etc were within the limits of scruiteneering.

However; it was during the post race scruiteneering that they were found to have used a different type of fuel and even tyres that weren’t approved for competition use and were therefore; disqualified..

Richo is right – It was at the height of the Polarizer issue…. there were alot of people at Holden who didn’t agree with “cross entering” which allowed Brocky to switch cars mid race.. in fact my mates who work at Holden cheered when he was forced to pull out of the race.
Andrew M

Wheelnut,
ford arent likeley to consider FWD anytime soon.

GM is more likely to close up before ford even puts FWD on the drawing board

never say never in the auto industry.
Fords falcon is guaranteed RWD for another 8 years.
The platform after that (which is currently on the drawing board) is said to be RWD.
just because someone says ford is keeping their options open, why do people always throw unfavourable options into their mouth

The current falcon platform can accept AWD aswell
Escort_Ghia

wheelnut hell no i agree with what ford did for the FG, the FG is a better looking car all round than the BA i just dont like the rear lights on the fg ute if they looker a bit sportyer for the up spec models the rear of the fg xr and fpv look to pove pack.
Name (required)

i personaly think the fg looks like a ba crossed with an au if u take a hard look at it
http://porsche Millatime

All of the GM fans here that rubbish the Falcon for going FWD really should be much more concerned about how long it’ll be before the Commodore will be made by Cherry and have loads of Chinese writing under the bonnet as GM collapses into receivership and the new Chinese owners take over. It’s being proposed now.

How hilarious will that be..? Horden Chingadore anyone?
http://porsche Millatime

Correction in the 1st line, ..rubbish the Falcon for exploring the option of going..
Wheelnut

Andrew M – I’d like to think that both Ford and Holden will continue making cars in Australia for at least the next 10 years.. which is very likely as they both have plans to build smaller cars – the Focus and the Astra.

What could happen [particularly now with economic downturn] is that GM and Ford close down in the USA and make their RWD cars here and Canada whilst their FWD cars are made in UK and Europe as that’s where their strengths lie.. What strengths do either of them have in the USA..?

Both the Falcon and Commodore are fantastic value for money – as I have said before if I had to have a6 it would be a Falcon XR6T if I had to have a V8 it would be a Commodore SS
Wheelnut

Andrew – I realise that the Falcon is set to remain a RWD car for the next 8 years However the media pick up on a particular comment take it out of context put a bit of spin on it and end up with a story that the Falcon is to become FWD….Although I honestly can’t see it Happening.

I also thought that the current Falcon Platform could take take AWD [the Territory].. The thing is unfortunately for Ford Oz its position in the Ford hierarchy isn’t as high as Holdens is within GM.. If it was they would allow Ford Oz to export the Falcon [if they wanted to] as well as have more involvement in other international projects like Holden does.

It’s taken Detroit a while to realise what “expertise” they both have Down Under in terms of designing and building cars but it appears that it could all be too late for both of them.

As for GM selling of its subsidiaries.. its more likely to sell off the ones that aren’t that popular or making money such as Buick Cadillac Pontiac etc before they sell Holden.. Just as Ford sold off Jaguar Aston Martin etc.
Yet for some reason Ford have started to sell off Mazda and Volvo??
Escort_Ghia

wheelnut the reason there selling shears in mazda and volvo is so they can make it through the economic crisis if the dont there screwed and if GM weren’t so dumb they whould do it to.
Wheelnut

Yes but Mazdas are becoming more popular.. look at sales figures over the last couple of months from both here and overseas – and you will see that sales of Mazda vehicles has steadily increased.. more sales more money more profits .. I thought Ford would have sold off Mercury before Mazda.

One of the best ways however for Ford [and GM] to make it to stop production of all the various over-sized SUV Pick-Up trucks they make [and the various configurrations] like the Ford F-Supermaxx for example.

I expect that it will end up with Ford selling off all its “premium” brands and holding on to the majority of shares of Mazda and Volvo [lots of potential there]
Whilst GM will sell off all other brands [particularly Pontiac and Buick] yet hold on to Chevrolet and Holden if not remain a major shareholder
http://porsche Goodbye GM

I rike to buy a Horrden Chinadorrre prease, the best from China for Austraria!
Escort_Ghia

wheelnut

there not selling all there shears though only some arn’t they
Andrew M

wheelnut,
Ok, so you sgree that the media has taken nothing (FWD thingy) and made it into something and blown it out of proportion. Im so glad you can see that whilst previously trying to drum home that the falcon will be FWD.

Also where is the confirmation that holden will build the Astra here??
thats your speculation, based on not much.

I also dont know how you guage holden as being higher up the hierarchy ladder in GM than fordOZ is in the FordMOCO ladder.

Ford Aus has also been trusted to degign global RWD platform as well as the next “light truck” (Ranger) Platform.
fordAus also had Exports on the table, but it was canned at last minute once it wasnt considered visable due the the sudden change in the market with both the aussie dollar strengthening and large car sales falling.

In realising all that, Ford transferred efforts and funding to a Focus Program (including Export).

And if Ford US’s thumb is firmly on OZ’s forehead, how come the newly appointed Ford AUS boss “MR B” was able to over turn Fords decision to stop the I6 production.

Ford Aus is also trusted to build their own V8′s and 6′s along with Auto boxes, is holden??

So,
just because the Commodore currently has a bigger export program than the Falcon, you think GM bows to Holden??
So does that mean that Toyota Aus has more say in the Toyota empire than Ford Aus does in the Ford empire?? Not bloody likely
By the way, how much have they, or should i say havent they made from commodore exports???

Also, why would they stop making the SUV’s etc when they are still a main bread winner.
It would be like holden stopping the commodore just because its sales have halved over the years. they wouldnt stop that, because its still overall up there for sales leader, and above that, its their main bread winner
Andrew M

Escort,
they are only selling 20%, and they are being smart about it. they are selling 1% to 20 different companies.

Ford will still have a big say within Mazda

Wheelnut,
at first i couldnt understand why ford would want to sell part of its Mazda share, but once you read into how they were selling it etc, its a pretty clever way to raise some cash.
sure they could sit and wait for a profit on their shares, but it would take them 5 years to get the money they just got over night.
Thats the big picture, they got the money pretty much instantly meaning they have a decent sum of loot to get to work with RIGHT NOW.
the coin they got would fund a couple of new products to be developed, and thats a big deal at this point in time.

Mazda will also benefit from whatever ford invests into.
its really a win win for ford and mazda
Thursty

I own a Holden SS ute & and F6310 (sedan).

How weird am i???

F6 goes faster… SS sounds better!

But seriously…. i have owned Holden V8′s for a number of years and i just got my F6 a couple of months ago. I love the perfomance of the F6, i am still not sold on the build quality and reliablity.

If the number of surveys i have got from Ford regarding problems, is anything to go by… the future doesn’t look good.
Andrew M

Thursty,
I got those surveys from ford when i bought my FG too.

never had them before with previous purchases.

to me it says they are committed to make sure there product is better quality, and above that their service was good.
A lot of those questions related to the service you were given from the dealership, and the phone one was solely related to the service from the dealership.
Wheelnut

Andrew M – Nothing has been “confirmed” as yet in regards to Holden building a small car here

However’ as you said in your previous comments “Never say Never”

which means even though Ford are apparently preparing to build the Focus here… things could change and it could be Cancelled at the last minute just as Fords export program was

I remember that Ford Oz was also going to build the new Mustang here [[on the Falcon Platform] but that got cancelled didn’t it?

Holden are “keeping their options open” – although word from the factory is that they are getting ready to restart the old vectra production line in the other half of the factory… I wonder why they are doing that?

Thing is Because the Federal KRudd Gummint has recently announced it will reduce tariffs to 5% = virtually nothing.. which will [unfortunately] make it easier and cheaper and more viable to continue importing cars here than make them.not only the Focus or Astra but also the Falcon Commodore and even the Aurion
Wheelnut

Andrew M – I never said the Falcon WILL be FWD I said that there were reports that it could go FWD – I read them you read them…. I also said that I hope it doesn’t happen. From what you told me it looks like the Falcon is to remain RWD which is good news.

The thing is the reports about the Falcon going FWD were in both major car magazines and in a number of major newspapers but the news about the Falcon being guauranteed to be RWD wasn’t [as much]…. the media went quiet on it so not many people knew whether or not things had changed

Same applies to Holden with their small car plans – a couple of months ago The media picked up on and released the initial reports that Holden are planning to make a small car in Adelaide but since then there hasn’t been anything in the media to confirm or deny that it will still go ahead.

As the reversal of the Ford Engine Plant decision shows things can happen quite quickly or unexpectedly however; alot of things in the Auto industry also happen in secret. so I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

My point is just cos you don’t here about it doesn’t mean it didn’t or won’t happen.. there is often alot more going on than what the media picks up on.
Tomas79

Hmmm, looking at the payload of 530kg, is this ute aimed at the hairdressing industry??
http://integra Greeny

Tomas79….Holden already have the hair dreesing industry covered …….those girly mobile gloveboxes they call utes has all the feminine appeal a hair dresser needs.lol the IRS rear end is useless in a ute and I wouldnt want to put anywhere near 500 kg in a Hloden ute !!! My Falcon ute has been down roads that you wouldnt even think of taking a Holden ute with IRS down, and the habdling is as good if not better……
bencong

its made in australia so it will let you down.holden or ford the build quality is 3rd world.very sad that we all seem to accept 2nd rate build and reliability in aus made cars
FRUGAL_ONE

In general, does the Falcon or the Commodore have the better glovebox?

Why, discuss.

Cheers

F-0
XA-MONT

Hey everyone.

As a HUGE V8 fan (i have an XB sedan and an XA coupe, both V8′s) when it came time to replace the crappy VP i had as a daily driver i had a hard decision to make.

8 or 6?

Once you look around at some forums (ones with a little bit more… selectivity of members… than this one) The decision became easy.

The I6T (why are people calling it an L6??) is just an amazing thing. The power that it has on tap when you want it, along with the great economy when you play nice >:D

Sure there is a lot of contension over the new design direction of the FG (as there is for the VE, which personaly i HATE as a base model, but LOVE as a higher model, such as SS/GTS/R8/not so sure on the W427) but personally i like it. And as far as the rear guards on the ute are concerned… drive on of these utes, and look in the rear wide mirrors, the amount that they bulge out is the kind of things little teenie rev heads wet dreams are made of and are very reminicent of the XA/B/C coupe rear ends.

Build quality is neither here nor there really, i have found no problems (apart from 2 tiny rattles, the glove box and the rear left speaker cover) and the materials seem good (nice leather, the dash is nice and soft, no “cheap” feeling plastics). so as far as im concerned, for the money they are a great car with very reasonable build quality.

Just my 2c.

BTW… i ended up getting an XR6T Ute in Ego with lux, tech, tow and safety packs, and 6 weeks after getting it already have 11000 kms on the clock.
Andrew M

Talk about pumping up the miles XA-MONT!!!!!

ive had mine for roughly the same time and only put on around 3500ks.

on another topic,
it seems as if skaiffe is broke and trying to avoid bankrupsy. its reported that he has sold his mansion and moved to a rented flat.
apparently he is 3.6 million in debt.

lets see what holden do about it…..
holden just seem to screw over their main men.
first it was brocky, then lowndes, and now skaiffe.

ive never really been a fan of skaiffe, but it seems a bit unfair if holden lets skaiffe go down. he was after all only their front/fall man so HRT wasnt kicked out of the game
Bret

Wheelnut & Andrew M,
It’s probably more of a Media Mike Rann political stunt, but see the following story:
(CA seems to have chosen to ignore this story)

Holden’s four-cylinder fightback:

www. news. com. au
/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,24718072-2682,00.html
Daytona

Andrew M,
Agreed it is a shame that Scaiffe has been let out to dry on this one, Walkinshaw screwed him over big time. Unfortunately it was a business deal and you take risks, his hasn’t paid off and now his team will probably start cutting budgets and become uncompetitive, and we don’t need that in the V8 supercars. Stone brothers cant win em’ all.

Great article about the F6. Its my first time and i love the passion all of you have put into your blogging.

For all those speculating about Ford’s future here, I recently learnt that they will continue to make the I6 engine until 2013. Why the 1 yr extension? Because the next falcon’s design team has been told to ‘tools down’. This indicates the possible end of the falcon in 2014 with a replacement from O/S. They were looking at the new Jag platform but Tata owns that now, or a cut and shut Mondeo 4WD which make sense to align ourselves with the Euro Ford who is profitable unlike US.

I get to roll my company XR8 in Nov next year and I plan to get the XR6T. This will be the last great bargain performance car and engine to come from Australia, I thoroughly recommend all of you get some Holden or Ford Aussie muscle before its too late (2013).
Andrew M

Daytona,
its more than a one year jumpstart.
the I6 was scheduled to cease in 2010. another 3 years (at least) has been thrown onto it, with reports of until 2015.

the new V6 was supposed to be put into the current falcon platform in 2010. the current platform was always going to run till 2013, with the last 3 years being a V6 powered.
now the current will run a I6 till the end.

on the skaiffe saga,
i now read as i suspected……
skaiffe has thrown his remaining share back to walkinshaw.
Walkinshaws ownership becomes immediate.
its still subject the boards acceptance. apparently they dont see Walkinshaw as a suitable owner nor holder of a licence due to his past.

God help the sport if walkinshaw is allowed to control a team again…..
Robman

I prefer cheeseburgers, mmmmmmmmmmmmmm, cheeseburgers.

Oh yeah. Holden rules.
Ben H

One hopes that the global financial crisis brings so sense to car manufacturers that currently produce totally irrelevant vehicles eg HSV range with a stupendous 6.2 litre engine and even FPV 5.4 litre engine. Performance can be had with half those capacities. Then again those with insecurities about their manhood would disagree
matt

SO IS FORD FALCON CEASING PRODUCTION IN 2015 OR THE WHOLE COMPANY

so no more falcon aye

is this true infomation cause u never no they prob will change there mids after a a couple of years and put it it back more years

is there any certian facts the falcon is ceasing production and why,

what whould happen the the holden would the cease the produciton off the commordore
Geni

Matt, no, there have been no announcements on if the Falcon will cease to be produced past 2015. All we know is that come 2013 – 2015 the Geelong engine plant *may* shutdown. That might just mean the Falcon gets the V6 engine from the state. Regardless of what happens to Falcon, the Focus will be produced here from 2011 onwards. And Ford Aus are the lead engineering centre for the light truck that will replace the Ford Ranger/Mazda BT50 worldwide, as well as design the Ford India B-car, which is basically a fiesta type car for the Indian market.

As for Holden, they haven’t made any announcements either, but with their decision to produce a small car in Aus as well, they won’t be going anywhere soon.
ben

Now Real World Testing Results.

FG XR8 = 290 KW & 520 NM Torque
VE SS = 270 KW & 530 NM Torque

(FG XR8) 0 – 100 km = 6.2 sec
0 – 400 m = 14.3 sec

(VE SS) 0 – 100 km = 5.5 sec
0 – 400 m = 13.6 sec

Now for the FPV/HSV specs.

FPV FG GTP = 315 KW & 551 NM Torque
HSV VE GTS = 317 KW & 550 NM Torque

(FPV FG GTP) 0 – 100 km = 5.53 sec
0 – 400 m = 13.62

(HSV VE GTS) 0 – 100 km = 4.96 sec
0 – 400 m = 13.19 sec
WTF? Mate, ur a wanker aye, like seriously. Theyve oulled a 13.4 from the gt’s, only 13.3′s from ur $75,000 gts, n the ss doesnt do 13.6 its 13.8 by wheels, n the xr8 is a flat 14 which is still slower, but ud still be cryin when u see the turbo range fly past lol. G6E turbo=13 seconds flat, XR6 Turbo=13.1 n the all mighty hsv n holden crushin F6 has been said to have gone as low as 12.6 seconds when FPV where developing it, n its been done in stock standard F6 in real world times. So mate, eat shit n die cause times have changed, its the era of the tubo mate. N fpv have a new v8 for 2010, its gonna be either a dohc 5.o litre V8 or a 6.2 Litre dohc V8, both which are all alloy, n itl still sound way better then anything on offer from holden or hsv. Go the FPV/Fords !!!!!! N yes, I do hate anything gm related lol
Andrew M

realworld testing of the GTS at sub 5 secs???

thats HSV’s claim and one which no independant tester has been able to match
ChineseDriver

Ford Falcon is like a step son, worked so much harder than his ‘brother’ Holden, and never receive his fair credit.